Manufacturing Process of Nylon 6,6

Introduction : Nylon-6,6 (PA66) is semicrystalline polyamide commonly used in fiber

applications such as carpeting, clothing, and tire cord. It is also used as an engineering
material in bearings and gears due to its good abrasion resistance and self-lubricating
properties.

Structure of Nylon 6,6

Nylon 6,6 is made from Hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid as shown in the figure
below
The chips of nylon polymer are fed through a hopper A, into a spinning vessel B, on an
electrically heated grid ( perforated plate) C. The perforations are so small that the chips
do not pass through, but when melted, the liquid can pass.

The molten nylon collects as a pool D, at the bottom of the vessel. This liquid should not
come into contact with oxygen or air and hence nitrogen is introduced into the vessel.
The molten polymer is kept at a temperature of about 288 deg C and sucked by a pump
F, into a spinnerette E. The molten polymer solidifies as soon as it emerges out of the
spinnerette. The filament thus formed pass through a colloing zone, in which cold air G
circulates directed towards the filaments. The filaments are then passed through a
steam chamber H, to wet them before winding on the bobbin L.
Spinning of Nylon 6,6 
Drawing

Nylon filaments as obtained are not very strong. They have to be drawn 4-7 times their
original length. This is done by cold drawing. The yarn in pulled off from bobbin L
through guides M and N, between a pair of rollers O. The speed of rotation of these
rollers determines the initial speed. The yarn then goes over a deflector P, and two to
three times around roller Q, running at five times the speed than that of O. The yarn
subsequently courses through another guide R, and wound on another bobbin which
rotates at very high speed, to impart twist in the yarn before being wound.
  
The filaments obtained from spinning are stretched by drawing process. The drawing
process is accomplished in two stages:

1. Unwinding the yarn from one godet, or wheel, winding it onto another godet that
is
rotating much faster. The speed of the second wheel determines the amount of
cold-
drawing or stretching.

2. The yarn from the second godet is wrapped on a cylindrical tube called a pirn. The
filaments can be stretched from 2 to 7 times their original length. The molecules in
the filament structure straighten out, become parallelized, and are brought very
close together

Properties of Nylon 6,6

Strength

The most outstanding property of nylon is its strength and elasticity. The tenacity varies
from 8.8-4.3 gpd while corresponding elongation at break varies from 18-45%. The wet
strength of nylon is 80-90% of its dry strength and the elongation at break increases by
5-30% on wetting.

Density: 1.14 g/cc

Elastic Recovery

When nylon yarn is stretched 1,2 and 4% with a load of 0.25 gpd for 30 seconds and
then released the recovery after 60 seconds is 38, 63 and 73% respectively.
Moisture Regain

Nylon has a moisture regain of about 4% at 65% RH and 70 deg F.

Action of Light

Like other fibres, nylon undergoes degradation and weakens when exposed to lights.

Appearance

Nylon is dull and semi opaque before cold drawing, but on orientation its lustre is greatly
incresed. Delustering is done by adding TiO2 in the polymerisation mixture.

Action of Heat

Nylon melts at 262 deg C in an atmosphere of Nitrogen and at 250 deg C in air. When a
very hot iron is used for ironing nylon garments, sticking or even fusion may take place.
Therefore ironing should not be done above 180 deg C. Permanent set may be applied
to Nylon by heat setting with 25 psi pressure with saturated steam. The pleats thus set
remian on wearing and washing even in hot water. 

Chemical Properties

Nylon is extremely stable chemically. For example dry cleaning solvents, alcohols,
aldehydes, ketones, ethers, hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, soaps and
synthetic detergents and water including sea water do not affect Nylon.
Also it has got a remarkable stability towards alkali.

Biological Properties

Nylon is not a nutrient for Mildew or bacteria and is not eaten up by moth larvae. But
they bite their way up when imprisoned in nylon cloth. It is harmless to human skin.